Implications for Educational Policy

Alternate Routes To Teacher Certification

Policy Implications ExerciseThe 2012 reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind

legislation requires 100% of the teachers to meet the highly qualified criteria. The Virginia General Assembly has introduced a bill mandating that School Divisions only hire teachers that are licensed through accredited post-secondary university programs. As the superintended of a medium sized school division, you are asked to make your case before the education subcommittee. List 2-3 policy implications you will be making in front of the committee

1.____________________________ 2.____________________________ 3.____________________________

Teacher Shortages

High Need Areas (SPED, MATH, Science)

66% of All School Districts

High Need Areas Difficult To Staff

Explanation of ShortagesDifficult Work Environments (Urban Areas)

Low starting salariesMass Retirements (Baby Boomers)

New Teacher Attrition/TurnoverClass Size ReductionLicensure Requirements

Alternative Teacher Certification ProgramsIntend to increase pool of qualified teachers

For Non-Education College MajorsCast a wider netNCLB provides monetary incentives to states to establish ATCP’s

Take advantage of existing content knowledge of candidates

ImplementationAdministered by:

UniversitiesCommunity CollegesSchool DivisionsGovernmental Agencies (DOD)

Program instructional time varies between 75-794 hours.

Student teaching requirements vary 10-21 weeks

National and State Alternate Teacher Certification Programs

http://www.teach-now.org/overview.cfm

Policies and Programs1999 VA SJR No.384 calls for alternative

teacher certification program40 states have themTeacher shortages across the stateStudy other states (New Jersey and

Texas)Leads to:

VA Career SwitchersPathways to TeachingTroops to TeachersTransition to Teaching

Teach for America (TFT)Aims to end educational injustice by placing

college grads from most selective universities to staff shortages in most difficult K-12 environments

33 Regions throughout the US7,400 placements for 2009-2010 school

yearFunded by 2008 Higher Ed ActHigher than average teacher performanceProgram completion = job placement or

graduate scholarships

VA Career SwitcherMilitary Personnel, 5yr work experience

(2001) Qualifications

4 year degree from accredited universityPassing PRAXIS scores150 hours instruction in classroom management, instructional strategies, and human development theories

Mentorship20 Hr Additional Training

Transition to Teaching (T2T)Federally Funded, State AdministeredCollaboration between Local University and

School DistrictHigh Need Area Schools/Subjects - >30% SESEducation Paraprofessionals and Recent

College GraduatesProgram Provides

Summer TrainingPaid TuitionUniversity Classroom SupportJob Placement – 3yr Contract$5,000 Stipend

Troops to Teachers (TTT)Program Requirements

Honorably discharges – Retirees, 10yr Service4-yr degree from accredited university in

content areaTeach in high poverty rate >20%SES = $5,000

Bonus, >50%SES =$10,000 Bonus

SPED, Math, Science Priorities

US Dep't funded through DOD

DOD administered - Offices in 50 States - ODU

Pathways to TeachingBased on NJ and Texas programsProgram goals: increase quantity of minority

and male teachers and quality of instructionProgram Requirements

60 Semester Hours2.3<GPA3yr Commitment to teaching in urban

schoolsNorfolk and Portsmouth Public Schools/NSUProgram Benefits

80% tuition assistancePRAXIS prep assistanceAnnual Book Stipend

Highly Qualified

1. Full State Teaching Certification OR Passed Teach License Exam and is License to teach AND

2. No Licensure under provisional, emergency, or temporary status AND

3. Batchelor Degree Minimum AND

4. Subject Matter Competency (PRAXIS II) AND

A

B

C

D

CaveatsACTP – less prepared – Student Achievement ImpactPedagogyAttrition of ACTPMathematica Study – No statistical

difference between traditionally and alternatively certified teachers

TFA teachers student EOC better than traditionally certified teacher in Reading and Math

TFA Classroom Management – Negative Correlation

Caveats ContinuedLower student achievement for

Middle School MathematicsOver reliance on textbooks and

“canned” materialsLower teacher retention for some

ATCP – optionsSome ATCP’s require as much

college preparation as traditional certification programs.

ATCP Legislative Review:

VA HB 506 – introduced by Rep. Phil Hamilton, this bill would expand the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program leading to an endorsement in career and technical education

VA SJ 55 – 2008 establishes joint subcommittee to study teacher shortage in the Commonwealth; examines programs such as Teach for America, identifies barriers to teaching as a career choice and seeks to find possible solutions.

VA SJ 384 – 1999 Resolution calling alternative teacher certification programs

NC S803 – offers teacher certification programs on military bases, probably as an incentive to lure former soldiers into teaching.

NC S868 – act directing the State Board of Ed to remove barriers to the lateral entry of skilled individuals from the private sector into the teaching profession.

Political ConsiderationsNCLB –Highly Qualified Requirement /

AccountabilityBachelor's DegreeActive teaching CertificatePass PRAXIS II

HOUSSE – High Objective and Uniform State Standard of Evaluation – Mandated Federal Standards Measuring Teacher Competency

NEA – Will ATC teachers dilute their power base

Higher Education – Competition with existing teacher prep programs

CNU Teaching Program EliminationHampton's First Steps Program

ConclusionsPolicy Cycle – ATCP No Policy EvaluationImpact of NCLB on teacher licensurePolicy Decisions Ignores the Free MarketImpact of Current Economic Cycle on

ATCPATCP – Result of Govn’t Distributive

Approach to fixing the problem of teacher shortage

NCLB Regulatory Approach v. Federal and State Distributive Approach